We all enjoy quality time with our families on holiday, and our canine companions are most definitely a member of the team, and where better to take them than the coast? From Cornwall to Sussex, spa hotels to luxury B&Bs, here the Good Hotel Guide shares 10 of their top recommended dog-friendly hotels by the sea.
Beachcroft Hotel, Bognor Regis
The Beachcroft Hotel in Felpham offers a blissful Sussex escape in a location that once inspired the writings of William Blake. This green and pleasant land is also blessed with beachside beauty, and the hotel sits in pride of place overlooking the water. Welcoming, contemporary and relaxed, it has a variety of rooms and suites, and guests delight in exploring the great outdoors.
Walks on Felpham Beach, which is dog-friendly all year round, or amidst the chalky hills of The South Downs National Park, are just some of the adventures guests and their four-legged friends enjoy. When they return, there is a Doggy Station where you can use the hose and towels provided for muddy or sandy paws and even the chance to try a doggy ice-cream.
There are two dog-friendly Luxury Beach Hut Suites and two Ground Floor Bedrooms with private terraces to choose from, with dogs staying for a supplement of £25 to 50 per night, including beds, bowls, toys, treats, use of the washing facilities and towels. Dogs are also welcome to join owners for dinner in the Bistro/Bar.
The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth
This famously eco-friendly hotel and spa sits on the cliff tops in Mawgan Porth, offering immaculate style, service and wellbeing experiences. Tented treatment rooms, a pool with floor-to-ceiling windows, and holistic Ayurvedic treatments with a Cornish twist are all part of the experience.
Offering wellness for all, there are five rooms where dogs can join their owners for a luxury getaway, all of which have enclosed outdoor areas, and for an additional £20 per night (maximum two dogs). They are welcomed with a ready and waiting towel, bed and food bowls, perfect for resting and refuelling before strolls along Cornish beaches and miles of Atlantic cliff paths.
Locanda on the Weir, Somerset
As dog-friendly hotels go, you can’t get more wild than this! Set within the wild beauty of Exmoor National Park, Locanda on the Weir overlooks the 15th-century harbour at Porlock Weir in Somerset. Surrounded by woodland and sea, the immaculate five-bedroom country house offers a unique escape, where dinner features a nightly-changing four-course menu of foraged finds, kitchen-garden veg and local produce.
At this decadent home away from home, dogs are invited to join their owners in three of the bedrooms for an additional £10 per night. They are also welcome in the lounge and restaurant as long as they promise to behave.
Cary Arms and Spa, Babbacombe
A five-star boutique hotel, Cary Arms and Spa is perched above Babbacombe beach and bay, inviting you to enjoy impressive sea views from every aspect of the hotel. Combining coastal chic with New England style, stay in either the main inn or chic beach chalets, and enjoy time spent on the water or in the glass-fronted spa.
They have two dog-friendly rooms on the ground floor, named Rear Admiral and Commander, both with balconies overlooking the water. Dogs are also welcome in two of the suites, two brand new Beach Huts and a Beach Suite for a fee of £25 per dog per night.
Bedruthan Hotel and Spa, Mawgan Porth
Bedruthan Hotel and Spa is an award-winning, four-star hotel in Cornwall that’s perched on a hillside above Mawgan Porth beach. It’s well known as a family favourite, but is also popular with adults on romantic getaways, enjoying spa treatments, a pool with Atlantic Sea views, a natural outdoor pool, a sensory garden, cocktails, and sunset suppers.
Dogs don’t miss out either, as there are five bedrooms for guests with pets and many of the communal areas are also dog-friendly, including the cocktail bar, the tranquillity space, the terrace and the mezzanine.
The latest dog-friendly holiday properties in the North
Soar Mill Cove Hotel, Salcombe
Just outside Salcombe, Soar Mill Cove Hotel looks out from a dip in the landscape towards views of the sea. There are no other buildings in sight, and the valley drops down below the hotel towards a beach that’s only accessible on foot. The hotel is laid back and relaxed, complete with a pool, tennis courts and a popular afternoon tea.
Stepping out almost directly onto the South West Coast Path with beaches in every direction, Soar Mill Cove Hotel is ideal for dog-friendly holidays – in fact, their resident hounds are there to greet you! They have pooch-friendly dining tables but ask that pets are kept on their leads and remain well behaved. They charge a nominal £15 a night per dog fee for furry visitors.
The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe
Guests staying at The White Horse wake to salty sea air and unwind to spectacular sunsets on the marshland coastland of North Norfolk in the evening. In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the hotel attracts keen walkers. It has 15 comfortable bedrooms (some in the main building and some garden rooms) and an award-winning restaurant that makes the most of shellfish supplied by village fishermen.
The tidal marshes and endless sandy beaches provide a unique wildlife spotting experience, as well as a wonderful world of exploration, while easy access to the Norfolk Coastal Path at the bottom of the garden is perfect for hiking. Dogs are welcome to stay in the garden rooms, which have an entrance wooden floor area for dog beds or muddy boots. There are also dog-friendly tables available in the bar.
The Old Coastguard, Penzance
The Old Coastguard in Cornwall sits in the quiet fishing village of Mousehole, close to Penzance and St. Ives. It has 14 rooms to stay in, enjoying views of its own tropical gardens, and the sea towards St. Michael’s Mount and the Lizard. They are charmingly decorated with heritage colours, cosy baskets and local art.
Meanwhile, guests delight in the warm welcome and locally sourced fare at the award-winning Brasserie restaurant. Inviting dogs to join their owners for a peaceful escape by the sea – they are welcome in select rooms and can join you for dinner in the bar with a little notice.
The Kirkwall Hotel, Orkney
Wake to views of waterborne traffic from the harbourside in Orkney at The Kirkwall Hotel. The French-influenced building is a local hub for convivial gatherings and good food, from Scapa Flow langoustines to a full Orcadian breakfast with haggis and black pudding. Enjoy light bites and pub fare in Skippers Bar, and more than 100 whiskies in the Highland Park Bar.
With plenty of sand and space surrounding the hotel, it’s little wonder that it’s pup-friendly, welcoming furry friends for £20 per pup per night. Dogs are given a dog bed to use, treats and a Hound Bag tote filled with useful accessories including a tennis ball, poo bags, dog treats and a walking map featuring routes local to the hotel.
The Royal Hotel, Ventnor
On a hillside the Isle of Wight overlooking subtropical gardens and views of the sea, The Royal Hotel is a former coaching inn dating to 1832. Old fashioned in all the best ways, they serve a cocktail named after a long-serving employee and are masters of delicious dishes ranging from traditional fish of the day to an inspiring tasting menu under glittering chandeliers.
The warm welcome extends to pets, understanding that dogs are part of the family. They can stay with you in one of the Classic Bedrooms, Garden View Rooms or Saver Rooms, with a dog bowl and treats provided.
